Infector Detector: Introduction

Contents

Project summary

Biofilms are a huge problem in medicine and in industry. The dispersal of biofilms has long posed a problem to biologists, chemists, and engineers. Our project is based on the detection and possibly destruction of bacterial biofilms that are formed on catheters. To detect biofilms, we aim to use a cell free approach, as it was thought that using bacteria to detect biofilms might result in biofilm forming on the catheters, if traces of the detector are not cleaned properly. We will also characterise the detector system within the cell free system and in vesicles and compare them to the detector system in E. coli.

Detection of biofilms will be done using the lux system. We will simulate the presence of biofilms by AHL producing E. coli. The sensitivity of the lux promoter under different conditions (concentration of AHL and temperature) will be assayed by a fluorescent reporter. The detection system will be implemented and tested in E coli, in vitro and in veso. Hrp system may also be incorporated into the system to amplify the fluorescent output, as it is thought that the vessicles may reduce the synthesis of the fluorescent protein.

Project plan

Our plan is to make the basic construct of the detector system and test it in the three chassis mentioned above. The results can then be compared to determine the best chassis for the system. For each chassis, the system will be tested for:

Figure 1: Proposed system

the response time for different temperatures and AHL concentrations

the variation in reporter expression for different concentrations of AHL

the variation in reporter expression for different temperatures

the lifespan of the system in different temperatures

We will also test atleast two reporters with our system and the final design would have the reporter best suited to our requirements. The reporter we need must:

have a fast response time (steady state reponse)

would respond to very low concentrations of AHL

Different reporters and their advantages and disadvantages can be found here

The AHL will intially be induced directly into the detector solution for each of the experiment, to verify that the system responds to it. Later the AHL can be introduced into the system by creating a signalling system within an E coli. To fully test the system for its application, the detector needs to be tested on a biofilm. For this purpose a biofilm might be grown in the lab, but this test will only be carried out of time allows it. Figure 1 on the right shows the final infector detector construct.

To improve the efficiency of the detector, HRP may be incorporated into the design. The HRP system will not only work to amplify the output signal but also increase the repsonse time of the system. This stage can only be completed after the HRP system has been fully characterised.

Application of System

Motivation

Improved life expectancy of the global population plays a major role in the rising demand for all medical catheters. Over a 100 different types of catheters are available on the market at the moment; involved amongst others in infusion, cardiovascular, renal, haemodynamic monitoring
and neurological contexts.

Catheters, specifically central venous catheters (CVCs), are responsible for more device-related infections than any other "internal" medical device.
As an illustration, catheter-related blood stream infections (CRBSIs) are both common and costly. Approximately 3 million central lines are placed in the United States each year; resulting in 150,000 cases of CRBSIs annually. In addition, 90% of all CRBSIs occur in clinical situations in which a temporary central venous catheter was used. The cost of treating CRBSIs annually in the United States ranges from $300 million to $2 billion a year.

Detection methods (EM and TEM) indicate their presence both on their outside surface and inner lumen.
Colonization and consequent biofilm formation may occur within 3 days. On a shorter scale, within 10 days, biofilm is more extensive; longer-term (up to 30 days) catheters exhibit greater biofilm formation internally.
Current detection methods involve the so-called roll-plate technique: (details?). This method, however, is unable to detect the presence of organisms on the inner luminal surface, and its sensitivity is insufficient: not more than 1000 CFU per tip.

The proposed system would involve detection of biofilm formation on the outer surface of the catheter. Its presence would be displayed by way of fluorescence.
However, the system could potentially be extended to incorporate an eradication mechanism, exploiting the degradatory protein, DspB.

Biofilms and your health...

Biofilms are responsible for diseases such as otitis media, the most common acute ear infection in children in the U.S. Other diseases in which biofilms play a role include bacterial endocarditis (infection of the inner surface of the heart and its valves), cystic fibrosis (a chronic disorder resulting in increased susceptibility to serious lung infections), and Legionnaire's disease (an acute respiratory infection resulting from the aspiration of clumps of Legionnella biofilms detached from air and water heating/cooling and distribution systems).

Biofilms may be responsible for a wide variety of nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections. Sources of biofilm-related infections can include the surfaces of catheters, medical implants, wound dressings, or other types of medical devices.

Biofilms are highly resistant to antibiotics. Consequently, very high and/or long-term doses are often required to eradicate biofilm-related infections.

Biofilms happily colonize many household surfaces, including toilets, sinks, countertops, and cutting boards in the kitchen and bath. Poor disinfection practices and ineffective cleaning products may increase the incidence of illnesses associated with pathogenic organisms associated with normal household activity.

Biofilms and industry...

Biofilms are responsible for billions of dollars in lost industrial productivity and both product and capital equipment damage each year. For example, biofilms are notorious for causing pipe plugging, corrosion and water contamination.

Biofilm contamination and fouling occurs in nearly every industrial water-based process, including water treatment and distribution, pulp and paper manufacturing, and the operation of cooling towers.

Specifcity:For starters we are targeting urinary catheter infections so there needs to be more of this and not other areas in which biofilms are problems. Let's make this introduction specific to urinary catheter infections.

References:There are no references in this introduction, considering the amount of references found on the references page this is both confusing and annoying as what we have said here has no weight

Background:Although we have references on it there is no talk here of what has been done to target urinary catheter infecions so far. For example one paper in the reference section talks about using herapin coating as a preventative stratergy and i've found another paper which discusses using silver based catheters as a preventative measure.

Mystery People: Let's get some people on board with the project and mention them in the introduction. We've got 3 profs on the refence page but there are not mentioned at all here.